I read with interest a post (xyphrx on 12 May 2003) where Gold Bear explained to how to set WOT timing out of the water by cranking the engine briefly with empty carbs and the throttle set to WO.<br /><br />I want to check the timing on my Merc 18 electric start (I have a manual for doing in a test tank only) and can see this procedure would work, however I have 3 questions:<br /><br />1. Why not leave the fuel/oil connected, remove the plugs and connect the plug leads to grounded test plugs (away from the plug holes)? This would give higher cranking speed (more flashes of the timing light in the brief time that you want to be doing this), continue to lube the motor and from a safety point prevent starting.<br /><br />2. On my 18 there is a flywheel locking pawl that prevents cranking when the throttle is not at idle. Would I just tie this back to allow cranking?<br /><br />3. Or give all this a miss, put it in the water on the trailer, get a tach and adjust timing running at WOT?<br /><br />Thanks in anticipation
